Modi Expected to Visit Canada in December as Trade Talks Advance
New York — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Canada in December as the two countries work toward concluding a trade agreement by the end of 2026.
Carney said negotiations between Canada and India were making “good progress” and described the bilateral relationship as “exceptionally important” across a range of sectors.
“We’re making good progress in our trade negotiations with India. It is an exceptionally important relationship, on many, many levels… He (PM Modi) will be visiting Canada around that time. I very much look forward to hosting him,” Carney said during a press briefing on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.
Earlier this week, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said she was looking forward to meeting External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and discussing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or CEPA.
“The Canada-India bilateral relationship is growing and the conclusion of the CEPA before the end of the year is key to our overall strategy. I look forward to speaking with @DrSJaishankar this week during @UN high level week,” Anand wrote on X.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also met Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu earlier this week to discuss advancing CEPA negotiations.
“I just finished round four of trade negotiations with my team in India. These negotiations require sustained, face-to-face cooperation, and I look forward to meeting with Minister Goyal again in the coming weeks as we continue to build momentum toward a CEPA agreement,” Sidhu wrote on X.
Sidhu said two-way trade between Canada and India totaled $30.8 billion in 2024, with a goal of more than doubling that figure to $70 billion by 2030.
“From agriculture and agri-food to energy, critical minerals, AI and tech, aerospace, and defence, a CEPA can open more doors for Canadian businesses in one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets,” he said.
Goyal said both sides reaffirmed their leaders’ commitment to accelerate the negotiations and conclude CEPA as early as possible.
He said an agreement could create new opportunities in goods, services and investment and help significantly expand bilateral trade while deepening the India-Canada economic partnership. (Source: IANS)
